Can This Hormone Boost Beta Cells?

Scientists reported the discovery of a new hormone they named betatrophin, a tribute to the protein's ability to stimulate the growth of insulin-producing beta cells. The hormone, produced in liver and fat tissue, increased the replication rate of beta cells 12-fold in mice. The researchers say that betatrophin would be a boon for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes if it can increase their number of beta cells. Yet, the discovery is quite new—researchers don't even know how betatrophin works yet—and it will be years before this stimulating hormone can be tested in people as a medication. Source: Cell, May 9, 2013